Author: foursistersdish

The Scotcharoo recipe was originally printed on the side of a Rice Krispies box in the mid 1960s. That recipe became an instant classic, but we’ve updated our version to make it even better! One of the best things about these treats is that they’re the perfect dessert for a hot summer night when you don’t want to turn on your oven. Our version adds the perfect amount of gooeyness that we always thought was missing from the original recipe. Even if you once thought you didn’t love Scotcharoos, we think you’ll love ours. Make them when you want something sweet that also has a sense of nostalgia! ~Kathy

In a heavy large pot combine the peanut butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter and salt. Place over medium high heat. Stir continuously; the sugar should completely dissolved and the mixture should be smooth and creamy. Remove from heat just as it begins to bubble. Immediately add marshmallows and vanilla. Stir until they are completely incorporated. Add rice cereal and mix carefully to completely coat.

Spread into prepared pan using a spatula. Be careful not to compact it tightly. Set aside to cool.

In a microwave safe bowl, microwave chocolate and butterscotch chips in 30 second intervals, stirring between, until it is completely melted and smooth. Pour over cereal mixture and spread evenly.

Allow to cool (or refrigerate briefly) until the topping is set. Cut into bars and enjoy!

In a heavy large pot combine the peanut butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter and salt. Place over medium high heat. Stir continuously, the sugar should completely dissolved and the mixture should be smooth and creamy. Remove from heat just as it begins to bubble. Immediately add marshmallows and vanilla. Stir until they are completely incorporated. Add rice cereal and mix carefully to completely coat.

Spread into prepared pan using a spatula. Be careful not to compact it tightly. Set aside to cool.

In a microwave safe bowl, microwave chocolate and butterscotch chips in 30 second intervals, stirring between, until it is completely melted and smooth. Pour over cereal mixture and spread evenly.

Allow to cool (or refrigerate briefly) until the topping is set. Cut into bars and enjoy!

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I don’t know about y’all, but pantry-friendly recipes are my go-to right now. I need meals that don’t require grocery runs because that’s not happening. This is one of those recipes. My kids love it and I love how easy it is to make. In literally 5 minutes, I can have supper going in the Crockpot. Eight hours later, I’ll bake up some potatoes, open up a salad mix and BAM dinner is on the table… hot and delicious with minimal work. That’s my kind of meal. ~Erin

Ingredients:

2 ½ pound pork roast, trimmed

1 (10.5 oz.) can Campbell’s Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom soup

1 (10.5 oz.) can Campbell’s Healthy Request Cream of Celery soup

1 soup can full of water

1 (1 oz.) packet Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup and Dip Mix

Baked potatoes, for serving

Place the trimmed pork roast in a slow-cooker pot. In a medium bowl, stir together all other ingredients. Pour the mixture over the roast. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until meat is cooked and shreds easily. Shred the roast and stir it to incorporate the gravy/sauce. Serve over baked potatoes.

WW info.: This recipe makes 6 1-cup servings. Each serving is 6 points on all plans, not including the baked potato.

Crock Pot Pork Roast in Gravy

Crock Pot, Slow Cooker, Uncategorized, Weight Watchers

Ingredients

2 ½ pound pork roast, trimmed

1 (10.5 oz.) can Campbell’s Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom soup

1 (10.5 oz.) can Campbell’s Healthy Request Cream of Celery soup

1 soup can full of water

1 (1 oz.) packet Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup and Dip Mix

Baked potatoes, for serving

Instructions

Place the trimmed pork roast in a slow-cooker pot.

In a medium bowl, stir together all other ingredients. Pour the mixture over the roast.

Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until meat is cooked and shreds easily.

Shred the roast and stir it to incorporate the gravy/sauce.

Serve over baked potatoes.

Notes

WW info.: This recipe makes 6 1-cup servings. Each serving is 6 points on all plans, not including the potato.

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After a long day with Zoom meetings sprinkled throughout for everybody (which is, I’ll go ahead ahead and tell you as a 100% biased mama, super cute for Kindergarten) the last thing I want to do is cook a complicated meal. Is “Zoom fatigue” an official thing yet? Just me?

Anyway, who doesn’t love all forms of tacos? Whether you’re reducing carbs, going full Keto, or you’re like me and just love peppers, this really easy taco recipe is just what your taco repertoire needs. ~Robin

A poblano is a really large, slightly sweet pepper, especially once it’s roasted so you’re not going to get a ton of heat, but they can still have a little heat once roasted. It’s a good idea to use gloves when you’re handling them raw. In this case, since the meat will be cooked and you’ll just be heating everything together, you’re going to roast the peppers first.

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I saw a meme the other day that compared cooking during this time of “social distancing” to an episode of Chopped. That could not be more accurate. When I schedule and pick up my grocery order, only half of what I ordered is actually in stock, so my pantry is a random assortment of ingredients. I stand there and stare, trying to figure out what I can put together to make an actual meal. If you are doing the same, I have a good, pantry-and-freezer-friendly Mexican dish for you. I know you’re all missing Mexican food right now, so here ya go. If you lucked out and got chips in your grocery order, that would be great with this too… a real Mexican feast! ~Erin

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 4 large breasts or 5 medium): I sprinkle the breasts with 1 tsp. each of chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and garlic powder; then bake or grill until fully cooked, let the meat rest/cool a few minutes and then chop. Store in the fridge if made in advance.

4 cups chopped boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 4 large breasts or 5 medium): I sprinkle the breasts with 1 tsp. each of chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and garlic powder; then bake or grill until fully cooked, let the meat rest/cool a few minutes and then chop. Store in the fridge if made in advance.

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Though the weather isn’t exactly cooperating, Monday is the first official days of Spring Break for us. Aside from trying to squeeze in a few extra visits with family, we don’t usually travel much for Spring Break, but we do manage to get in some special foods! School breaks are a time that I can spend a little extra time planning and making those things that school mornings don’t allow for. I readily admit, that one more press of the snooze button is usually more important than cooking something.

These Classic Waffles are one of my favorite things to indulge in for a late breakfast or brunch. They are super easy to make and can be frozen to pop in your toaster or air fryer when you’re back to your normal work day rush. ~Tracy

Ingredients:

2 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour (you can also use all or part wheat flour)

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1 T. sugar

4 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:

In a bowl or measuring cup, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs just until fluffy. Add milk and vegetable oil and stir to combine.

Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, and beat until smooth.

Pay attention to your waffle iron’s instructions about the amount of batter to cook at one time. My waffle maker makes fairly large waffles and can hold about 3/4 c. of batter per waffle.

Cook waffles in iron until golden brown or until steaming stops. Many irons also have a ‘done’ feature light. The number of waffles made will depend on the size of your iron, but my waffle iron can make 5 or 6 waffles with this recipe.

Serve immediately. I love these the classic way, with butter and syrup, but they’re also great with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Classic Waffles

Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Uncategorized

Ingredients

2 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour (you can also use all or part wheat flour)

1 3/4 cups milk

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1 T. sugar

4 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions

In a bowl or measuring cup, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs just until fluffy. Add milk and vegetable oil and stir to combine.

Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the egg mixture, and beat until smooth.

Pay attention to your waffle iron's instructions about the amount of batter to cook at one time. My waffle maker makes fairly large waffles and can hold about 3/4 c. of batter per waffle.

Cook waffles in iron until golden brown or until steaming stops. Many irons also have a 'done' feature light. The number of waffles made will depend on the size of your iron, but my waffle iron can make 5 or 6 waffles with this recipe.

Serve immediately. I love these the classic way, with butter and syrup, but they're also great with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

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Sometimes things “hit me” at random times. Like in the shower or while driving. This recipe was born one day while I was driving to work and dreaming of warmer weather. I made a few notes on my phone (thanks to talk-to-text) and ended up with this great spin-off of a deli classic. It has a great balance of fresh and crunchy mixed with the creamy dressing and avocado. This are finally starting to warm up a little here in my neck of the woods, and I think this Chicken Club Pasta Salad will be one of the first things you’ll want to make as Spring finally arrives. ~Kathy

Dash of each of the following: onion powder; black pepper; and paprika

Cook pasta in salted water, according to package directions. Drain, rinse and set aside to allow to cool.

Once the noodles are completely cooled, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add chicken, bacon, pickles and onion. Toss to mix. Add tomatoes and napa cabbage. Toss gently to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together miracle whip, mustard, milk and seasonings. Add more milk if needed. It should be a slightly thick mixture. Pour over the pasta mixture and stir to coat.

Add avocado and gently mix to coat, trying not to smash the diced avocado.

Allow to chill for one hour. Serve alone or with your favorite crackers or toasted bread.

WW Info.: Makes about 6 cups. Each serving is 11 Points on the WW Blue Plan, 11 on Purple Plan, and 12 on Green Plan. For a far smaller point tally, on purple, using whole wheat pasta drops it to just 4 points!

WW Info.: Makes about 6 cups. Each serving is 11 Points on the WW Blue Plan, 11 on Purple Plan, and 12 on Green Plan. For a far smaller point tally, on purple, using whole wheat pasta drops it to just 4 points!

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I first had gnocchi at a restaurant in Nashville named Adele’s. Why had it taken me so long to try it? I don’t know! I love pasta and I love potatoes so what could be bad about potato-based pasta?! I wish I could remember the name of the dish I ordered at Adele’s. It was gnocchi with a sage browned butter and delicata squash and it was amazing. Unfortunately, it’s a long trip from Oklahoma to Tennessee, so I figured I needed to create a gnocchi dish of my own at home.

I tried to make my recipe as healthy as possible without losing any of the rich, buttery flavor. I think I pulled it off. My family loves this dish. My daughter likes to add crushed up croutons to the top, for some crunch, but I prefer it just like it is. A hot bowl of steaming, soft pasta is the best kind of comfort food to me. ~Erin

1.25 lbs. (5 links) Italian turkey sausage, casings removed

1 (17 oz.) package potato gnocchi

1 Tbsp. butter

1 c. Fat-free half & half

6 cups fresh baby spinach (chopped)

1-2 large clove garlic, minced

¼ c. water reserved from cooking the pasta

½ c. shredded parmesan

½ Tbsp. cornstarch

In a medium stock pot, bring water to a boil to prepare for cooking the gnocchi.

In a large deep-sided skillet, cook the turkey sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until brown; drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Wipe out the oil left behind by the sausage.

Cook the gnocchi in salted water according to package directions (do not overcook).

Meanwhile, melt butter in the skillet and cook until it turns golden brown.

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I have always thought chili was just fine…something great to throw on some Fritos or a hot dog. I had no idea how much I could love it. This one is in my top three favorite meals ever, period. And to his credit, this is my husband’s recipe. He has tweaked and played with this recipe, then tweaked it a little more over the years to get it juuuust right. As you’ll see from the ingredients, it does not skimp in flavor. I seriously don’t even put cheese in this chili (and I’m a cheese fanatic) because I don’t want to do anything to distract from its awesomeness.

And yes, I’m revealing the secret ingredient. You would never, ever know that this chili has oats from the flavor or texture, but it adds just enough of a thickening agent to make this even heartier, making it less like a soup and more like, well, chili! It’s been a hit at chili cook-offs for years now, and I’m finally sharing it with you as we approach Superbowl Sunday. Bonus — this can feed a crowd inexpensively, and your party (or you Tuesday – whenever) just won’t be the same without it! ~Robin

1 – 2 tsp. salt (Start with one tsp. and adjust to taste in ¼ tsp increments – it’s a lot of food so you may end up going to 2 tsp.)

In a large stock pot, cook ground beef, onions, and garlic on medium heat. Once beef is cooked and any fat drained, add all other ingredients and continue to cook on medium heat until heated thoroughly and has had a chance for the flavors to blend. It just gets better and better leftover (I keep it in my fridge for up to three days). It does freeze very well; I recommend freezing it in small, individual microwave-safe containers so you can grab a serving to take for lunch anytime over the next six months.

1 to 2 tsp. salt (Start with one tsp. and adjust to taste in ¼ tsp increments – it’s a lot of food so you may end up going to 2 tsp.)

Instructions

In a large stock pot, cook ground beef, onions, and garlic on medium heat.

Once beef is cooked, drain any fat that's cooked out.

Add all other ingredients and continue to cook on medium heat until heated thoroughly and has had a chance for the flavors to blend.

This just gets better and better leftover (I keep it in my fridge for up to three days). It does freeze very well too; I recommend freezing it in small, individual microwave-safe containers so you can grab a serving to take for lunch anytime over the next six months.

Notes

WW Info: 4 points/cup on green (9 pts for 2 cups), for both blue and purple it's only 1 point per cup (2 points for up to 1.75 cups, 3 points for 2 cups).

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I almost feel bad for posting another soup recipe because I’m afraid y’all are going to think that’s all we eat, but it’s hard to feel bad with a big bowl of comfort food in front of me. Can’t stop, won’t stop eating allll the soups. This particular soup is a favorite of my family’s. It’s rich and creamy and perfect with crackers on a cold night. Add it to your soup rotation! I know I will. ~Erin

Saute celery, carrots, and onion in cooking spray until the onions are tender and translucent.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the chicken stock and 4 cups water. If using raw chicken, add it at this time and simmer until chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Remove from pot and shred; set aside. If using precooked chicken, simmer the veggies and broth until the carrots are fork-tender.

In a small bowl, make a slurry with the flour and some of the hot liquid from the pot. Whisk until smooth and then stir the slurry into the pot.

Saute celery, carrots, and onion in cooking spray until the onions are tender and translucent.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the chicken stock and 4 cups water. If using raw chicken, add it at this time and simmer until chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Remove from pot and shred; set aside. If using precooked chicken, simmer the veggies and broth until the carrots are fork-tender.

In a small bowl, make a slurry with the flour and some of the hot liquid from the pot. Whisk until smooth and then stir the slurry into the pot.

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I have always loved sugar cookies. They’re unpretentious, simple, and delicious. This recipe stands above the others…these little gems are soft and not overly sweet, but they can also handle frosting, including your favorite sprinkles! Using pantry staples these mix together quickly, which is a plus for busy holiday seasons. These cookies are so good that my niece wanted them fashioned into a cake for her birthday (kudos to my sister for pulling that off!). Eat them plain, sprinkled with pretty sugar, or frosted as a holiday treat – any way you have them, these sugar cookies are sure to be a hit with your family, too! ~ Kathy

Ingredients:

1 c. butter, softened

½ c. powdered sugar

½ c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 ¼ c. flour

½ tsp cream of tartar

½ tsp. baking soda

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375˚

Combine butter and sugars in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and mix well. Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed.

Beat until dough forms a ball.

Shape dough into 1” balls. Place two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Flatten each cookie to about 1 1/2 “diameter. Dip in decorative sugar if desired.

Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until set and slightly browned on edges. Do not overbake. Let sit on cookie sheet one minute. Move to cooling rack to cool completely.

If you plan on frosting the cookies, be sure they are cooled to room temperature before frosting.

Family Favorite Sugar Cookies

Uncategorized

Ingredients

1 c. butter, softened

½ c. powdered sugar

½ c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 ¼ c. flour

½ tsp cream of tartar

½ tsp. baking soda

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375˚

Combine butter and sugars in a large bowl.

Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often until creamy.

Add egg and vanilla and mix well.

Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed.

Beat until dough forms a ball.

Shape dough into 1” balls.

Place two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Flatten each cookie to about 1 1/2 “diameter. Dip in decorative sugar if desired.

Bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until set and slightly browned on edges. Do not overbake.

Let sit on cookie sheet one minute.

Move to cooling rack to cool completely.

If you plan on frosting the cookies, be sure they are cooled to room temperature before frosting.